art karlsruhe 2026: Discover, collect, experience art – new inspiration for a new generation of collectors
With around 180 galleries from 18 countries, art karlsruhe will be presenting itself from February 5 to 8, 2026, as a reliable and future-oriented art fair in the heart of the art-loving border triangle of Germany, Switzerland, and France.
The fair will showcase artistic positions from 120 years of art history – from classical modernism and contemporary trends to works by up-and-coming talents.
art karlsruhe places a special focus on new approaches to art collecting, with curated special areas, accessible recommendations, and formats that offer real added value for young collectors. “Our aim is to share our enthusiasm for art and inspire visitors to bring art into their own homes with joy,” says Olga Blaß, project manager of the fair.
paper:square – Works on paper: diversity and quality
paper:square is dedicated entirely to the artistic medium of paper. It is an ideal starting point for collectors and a place for anyone who appreciates this material in its many forms of expression. Selected galleries present works created with, on, or from paper: from drawings to graphic works, from mixed media to three-dimensional paper objects.
This year, around 25 positions are represented, curated in a new circular architecture that allows for clear orientation and an inspiring tour. Participating galleries include Ludorff (Düsseldorf), MOLSKI gallery (Poznan), Schmalfuss Berlin, and Sturm & Schober (Stuttgart/Vienna).
start:block – How do I start collecting art?
In start:block, visitors will find specific work recommendations from galleries that are particularly well suited for those new to art collecting. The format brings together recommendations from all four exhibition halls in a curated special area: a focused, low-threshold overview of artistic positions that are particularly suitable for art purchases. “People who buy art want clarity, quality, and inspiration. start:block offers all of this at a glance”, says Kristian Jarmuschek, chairman of the advisory board of art karlsruhe.
The works on display include, for example, an oil and acrylic work on Neobond using paper-cutting techniques by Sandra Schlipkoeter, presented by Taubert Contemporary (Berlin), the phosphorescent canvas work Encounter by Vanessa Luschmann (Galerie Biesenbach), and the work origin II by Jürgen Jansen—oil and lacquer on wood, exhibited by Galerie Albert Baumgarten. Paper works such as Disruption-2 by Sidika Kordes, created with ink, watercolor, and acrylic, presented by Galerie Luzia Sassen, also demonstrate the diversity of the entry-level works in start:block.
This selection exemplifies the idea behind the format: Which work of art should I start collecting?
academy:square & LBBW academy:square award
academy:square presents 18 up-and-coming graduates from the three art academies in Baden-Württemberg: the State Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe, the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design, and the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart. With this special exhibition, which launched in 2024, art karlsruhe and LBBW are giving young talents their own stage. From the proposals submitted by the universities, Sarah Haberkorn, head of the LBBW collection, Elke Buhr, editor-in-chief of the art magazine monopol, and Kristian Jarmuschek selected the most compelling positions this year. The presentation shows the spectrum of current artistic ideas and highlights the themes that will be relevant in the future. For the first time this year, an artist will be honored with the LBBW academy:square award. As part of this award, a work will be acquired for the renowned LBBW collection.
This year's positions include, among others:
- Lea Rossatti (ABK Stuttgart): In her installation, she uses bass frequencies to make prepared stones burst. The vibrating steel plates transmit the sound into the room. A powerful expression of tension, crisis, and interpersonal responsibility.
- Felix Wagner (ABK Karlsruhe): With his sculpture Broke Youth (2024) made of metal and found objects, he transforms urban sound spaces into visual forms. His works address consumption, control, and the language of the street in a direct yet poetic manner.
- Philipp Kern (HfG Karlsruhe): His expansive, eight-meter-high sculpture The Nest, constructed from wood, neophytes, and hemp, invites exploration. It tells of ecology, community, and the connection between nature and culture in urban space.
Complete gallery list: https://www.art-karlsruhe.de/en/galleries/
Further information: https://www.art-karlsruhe.de/en/, facebook.com/artkarlsruhe, instagram.com/art_karlsruhe, art-karlsruhe.de/linkedin
